England's Six Nations Championship clash against Ireland in Dublin on March 24 has been postponed because of the foot and mouth crisis.

The Irish Rugby Football Union also announced tonight in an expected development that Ireland's match against Scotland in Edinburgh on April 7 is postponed too.

Irish rugby chiefs called off the matches following discussions earlier this week with agriculture officials.

The Department of Agriculture recommended to Irish rugby bosses that both matches should be called off as a precaution against possible foot and mouth entry into Ireland.

The IRFU said tonight that it is ``in the national interest'' to accept the recommendation and has informed the Six Nations Committee, Scottish Rugby Union and Rugby Football Union.

The IRFU has also been advised that 30 days should elapse from the date of the last confirmed case of foot and mouth disease in the United Kingdom before it is safe to resume international fixtures with UK-based teams without risk of introducing the virus into Ireland.

The union added that it ``greatly regrets'' taking these measures and ``the inconvenience and disruption'' that will be caused to Irish rugby fans.

Ireland could now end up playing three Six Nations matches in a fortnight with their trip to Scotland possibly to be staged on May 12/13, preceded by games against Wales and England.